New quilt on display at Sun City West library

The Palo Verde Patchers is presenting another quilt on display in the R.H. Johnson Library, 13801 W. Meeker Blvd. The quilt, “White Water” by Mary Roberts, will be shown through June.

Roberts said she was “drawn to the look of water falling” in the “White Water” quilt pattern.

“I grew up in Oregon, and the Multnomah Falls in the Columbia Gorge has always inspired me: the beauty of the falls, the power of the water. This quilt took me back to those memories,” she said.

The quilt pattern is by Carla Klop for the July 2020 American Quilter Magazine. Roberts thinks of herself as a more traditional quilter and felt this pattern “was a step outside the box” because the piece lends itself to the Modern Quilt influence with the geometrical design and a lot of white space.

“Blue is a color I decorate my home with and I thought this quilt would look ‘refreshing’ during the hot summer months. I display my quilts using curtain rods and change them with the seasons,” she said.

Roberts found matching the points a bit challenging and took extra care to place the blocks in a waterfall effect. She also quilted the “White Water” work.

“I’m beginning to find my comfort zone in the long arm quilting process. I chose a circular design to mimic the ‘water bubbles’ in the fabric,” she said.

Roberts has been quilting for more than 30 years. She made clothing for her girls when they were growing up and had planned on learning to quilt after she retired. However, when she learned the basic procedure after making a quilted jacket through a local quilt store, she loved the process so much: “There was no waiting until I retired.”

Roberts joined both Rip and Sew and the Palo Verde Patchers when she and her husband first moved to Sun City West in 2018. Roberts is a leader, supporter and teacher in Palo Verde Patchers.

“Being a part of Palo Verde Patchers has given me the opportunity to help other quilters through the Honor Quilt Program where we make quilts for combat veterans,” she said.

Roberts noted that through the PVP Honor Quilt classes “new quilters can learn techniques and have support of others when we meet to piece blocks for the quilts.”

“With my love of quilting, the Patchers have been the perfect club for me!” she said.

Visit patchers.scwclubs.com for more information about the club. The Club room is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon Friday and Saturday, in the Kuentz center. Visitors are welcome.